Posts Tagged ‘Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project’

May
14

Wildlife Heroes Profiles: Orangutans

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Borneo,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research,orangutan

Join us on May 19th and 20th for wildlife Heroes weekend.  On May 20th we welcome Jeff Flocken, co-author of Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals they are Committed to Saving for a book-signing and presentations by zoo staff on the focus species of the book. Wildlife Heroes will be available for sale at the zoo on May 20th, quantities are limited!  Books are also available for  pre-order on the Houston Zoo website at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/wildlife-heroes/for a dicounted price until May 17th.

To give you an idea of the projects covered in the book, we thought we would highlight a few of the projects the Houston Zoo supports throughout the week:

Dr. Marc Ancrenaz, Borneo’s Orangutans and the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project

You have seen a number of posts the past few years on Dr. Ancrenaz and the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project. The Houston Zoo has been a partner of this program going back to 2004. Orangutan conservation is an important piece of our programming and Dr. Ancrenaz and his team have made it part of their lives since 1998.

Borneo is the world’s third largest island and a region of high biological diversity that has lost upwards of 75% of its original tropical forest cover. The two most prominent species on the Borneo are the orangutan and the Asian elephant, both of which are classified as Endangered and have lost significant habitat to logging and the subsequent conversion of natural forest to oil palm plantations.

Bornean Orangutan photo courtesy Paul Swen

The Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Program includes significant priorities and goals for this region:

  • Enhanced knowledge of orangutan ecology and conservation status including the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Ulu Segama/Malua Forest Reserve, Timimbang Forest Reserve and Eastern Sabah landscapes
  • Assessment and monitoring of orangutan population health and genetic status
  • Orangutan ecological adaptation to degraded and fragmented habitat
  • Development of policies for population management within and outside protected areas
  • Reduced level of conflicts between human activity and orangutans including improved land use and reforestation
  • Community engagement and education in the conservation of orangutans and habitat
  • Environmental education programs for Malaysian school children

To learn more and watch a short vidoe of the region – link here

Join us for our Wildlife Heroes weekend on May 19th and 20th and learn how local communities monitor Orangutan populations.  At the orangutan exhibit you can be a researcher and participate in an activity to document what you see our Orangutans doing.  See you at the Zoo!

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May
09

Wildlife Heroes is an awesome book, and we have the author coming to the Zoo!

Posted by in Africa,amphibians,Bats,Birds,Borneo,Bumblebees,Carnivores,Central America,Chimpanzee,community-based conservation,Conservation,Cotton-top Tamarin,Elephant,Endangered Species,Field Research,Going Green,Gorilla,Okapi,orangutan,Painted Dog,Panama,Rhino,Sea Turtles,South America,What You Can Do

Join us on May 19th and 20th for Wildlife Heroes weekend at the Houston Zoo.  On May 20th we welcome Jeff Flocken, co-author of Wildlife Heroes: 40 Leading Conservationists and the Animals they are Committed to Saving for a book-signing and presentations by zoo staff on the focus species of the book. Wildlife Heroes will be available for sale at the zoo on May 20th, quantities are limited!  Books are also available for  pre-order on the Houston Zoo website at: http://www.houstonzoo.org/wildlife-heroes/for a dicounted price until May 17th.

My first heroes were animal people.  When I went to zoos my heroes were the zoo keepers and when I watched animal documentaries the researchers were my heroes.  We all need amazing people to inspire us and that is why the new book Wildlife Heroes is so wonderful. 

The book includes 40 people overcoming impossible odds to save endangered species all over the world.  If you are looking for real heroes for your children to look up to look now further! 

The unique stories in this book of local communities becoming involved in anti-poaching, education and research efforts for wildlife in their own back yard are immeasurably inspiring!  In one story a young boy, Thia grew up in Northern Vietnam watching his village hunt the very species he fights to save today.  His passion to help a unique species called the pangolin will warm your heart!
 
I have had the honor of meeting many of the heroes in this book (including the authors) over the years and they inspire me to move forward in my own wildlife conservation work.  These are real people making a real difference! 

This book introduces readers to pollinator and amphibian decline and other environment issues that continue to threaten our world.  But it also offers great messages of hope.  In the last chapter Jack Hannah suggests ways the reader can help, and the good news is that by purchasing the Wildlife Heroes book you are already helping- 100 % of the proceeds go to the projects featured in the book.  A win for everyone!

Hope to see you at the Houston Zoo for our Wildlife Heroes weekend May 19th and 20th!

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Oct
28

A message from a Houston Zoo intern in Borneo

Posted by in Borneo,Carnivores,Conservation,Field Research

Lyndsey Stanton is an intern in the carnivore section at the Houston Zoo.  She was searching for an opportunity to see conservation in action and gain some field experience.  She approached us in July and inquired about our conservation partners.  After some discussion she felt the Borneo project was ideal.  We connected her with the Borneo folks, and the next thing we knew she was booking her flights. 

Enjoy Lyndsey’s message below. 

Orangutan using rope bridge

Hello from Borneo! I have been in Borneo for a little over two weeks and have already learned and seen so much! I’ve spent a great amount of time in the jungle helping with research. I’ve helped with small mammal trapping, used for measurements and blood samples in order to attempt to learn how many small mammals are in the area, camera trapping animals in the jungle, and tracking a radio-collared slow loris. I’ve also participated in a few other activities including learning to climb very tall trees up to the canopy, and helping to build a rope bridge for orangutans needing to cross nearby tributaries. I’ve seen many animals including, elephants, crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, hornbills, monitor lizards, a slow loris, civets, and more.

 

This has been the most amazing experience of my life! I’ve become friends with the other students (all from different countries) and even learned a little Malay. Danau Girang Field Center is simply wonderful and I just don’t want to leave. Thankfully I have another two weeks here! I’ll update more soon.

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May
16

The new Conservation Annual Report is here!

Posted by in community-based conservation,Conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research,Texas

Houston Toad release

So, what has the conservation department been up to over the past year?  I am sure you hear snippets here and there about the work we do, but we wanted to make sure we had a way for people to get a full scope of what the Houston Zoo is doing around the world to ensure that the endangered species we house here at the zoo will continue to thrive in the wild.  With the help of our partners we are endeavoring to ensure the security of the planet’s biodiversity.  

 

Attwater's prairie chicken chick

Our report tells of a lot of great progress in wildlife conservation this year.  You can read about the observation of female captive bred Attwater’s prairie chickens raising their chicks in the wild.  The goal in wildlife conservation is not just to save species, we also seek to improve the lives of the local communities.   You will enjoy the story of how children in Rwanda love to dress up and learn about wildlife through plays and dance.   This report will inspire you and bring you up to speed on the depth of our efforts.   

“This report is full of human partnerships and friendships that give us hope for the future, as science alone cannot save a species“  a quote from the Houston Zoo Director, Rick Barongi.

Click here to read the Conservation Annual Report.

 

 

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Feb
17

Houston Zoo Wildlife Conservation is on Facebook!

Posted by in Africa,amphibians,Attwater's Prairie Chicken,Black bears,Borneo,Carnivores,Chimpanzee,community-based conservation,Conservation,Elephant,Endangered Species,Field Research,Galapagos,Going Green,Gorilla,orangutan,Painted Dog,Panama,Rhino,Travel

 

Booming chickens on prairies and adventures to find bear hair in the Big Thicket. Leech infested forests? Monsoons? Leg swallowing mud and Sea Gull poo? Wild Orangutans that use bridges and toads with implants.  Confused? Don’t be. Join us and interact with local and global conservation on our new Houston Zoo Conservation Facebook page. Keep up with the conservation department and our partners in the field, and don’t forget to comment along the way!

Link here and follow along: http://www.facebook.com/#!/houstonzooconservation

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Feb
07

Valentines Day Candy

Posted by in Conservation,Elephant,Endangered Species,orangutan

How is this related to Wildlife Conservation – really? Yes, there is a method and message, to our madness…

Palm Oil and The Great Chocolate Debate. It can help save the lives of Orangutans and many other species living on Borneo and Sumatra. Palm oil is a form of edible vegetable oil produced from the African oil plam tree (Elaeis guineensis) which has been planted on plantations throughout Malaysia and Indonesia, home to some of the world’s most endangered wildlife. These plantations replace tropical rainforest acreage in staggering numbers.

Rainforest? No. Palm Oil Plantation? Yes.

What we are asking you to do is to be a responsible consumer and purchase products from companies which either do not use palm oil or are part of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm oil. You can do that by taking a quick look at this Orangutan Friendly Palm Oil Valentine Guide.

To learn more about the issues facing wildlife and palm oil just link here.

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Nov
15

Everything is Better with a Gorilla!

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Endangered Species,Gorilla,What You Can Do

Really it is. Especially the holidays. And if you cannot have a real Gorilla to spend the holidays with – might as well purchase this wonderful little book and apparently a small portion of sales goes to support gorilla conservation. See, everything is better with a gorilla!

Let me just point out that I learned whether you need a hand organizing an Olympic-caliber bobsled team or fancy a leisurely stroll, a Gorilla is the ideal companion for whatever it is you’re game to do. And the guidance they give is the absolute tops. Gorillas know the dish on the hippest eateries around and provide financial advice that’s unbelievably sound (as they hold true to a “don’t spend what you don’t have” policy).

And, this book is the only one ever to have a real Gorillastrator working on the art. Whether you like it or not, it’s the holidays people and you better  start thinking about what gifts to give…I have an idea – how about this book?

The Houston Zoo supports Great Ape conservation projects including Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Program, Jane Goodall Institute, Art of Conservation, Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project, Mbeli Bai Gorilla Program and the West African Chimpanzees of Senegal.

We will also be welcoming Dr. Jill Pruetz, Co-Founder Neighbor Apes, Associate Professor of Anthropology and National Geographic Emerging Explorer on Feb. 17, 2011 as part of our speaker series. For tickets go to:http://www.houstonzoo.org/lectureseries/

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Nov
09

Spotlight on Species: Orangutan Caring Weekend

Posted by in Borneo,Conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research,orangutan

Thank You for Participating in International Orangutan Caring Weekend!

Congratulations on your role in a very successful fundraiser!  We are happy to report that this year’s International Orangutan Caring Weekend was attended by 3,366 people.  Through the generosity of our donors and guests and the hard work of the employees, volunteers, and docents of the Houston Zoo, $1,915.00 was raised!

Ornaments painted by the orangs

All the proceeds from the fundraising items produced by the orangutans, elephants, siamangs, and clouded leopards for orangutans, elephants, siamangs, and clouded leopard will go to fund the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project.  The animals of the Houston Zoo have worked hard to produce these items.  Their keepers are striving to make this project work, expanding the scope of their animal care beyond the collection of the Houston Zoo.  Thank you for joining us in supporting the scientists, rangers, and teachers who have dedicated their lives to the long-term survival of the orangutans and elephants of Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.

Spotlight on Species

Thank you so much for you part in helping Houston Zoo orangutans help wild orangutans, Houston Zoo elephants help wild elephants, Houston Zoo siamangs help wild siamangs, and Houston Zoo clouded leopards help wild leopards! We hope that you are proud of your contribution to conserving space for wild animals and will continue to support this project.

Sincerely,
The Houston Zoo Primate Staff

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Nov
01

Help Orangutans in the Wild by Coming to the Houston Zoo Next Weekend

Posted by in Borneo,Conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research,orangutan

Life on Earth is not evenly spread around our planet.  Borneo-the world’s third largest island- is one of its richest treasure-houses, full of an immense variety of wild animals and plants, all living in a magnificent tropical forest.

A single, vast, unbroken area of this forest still cloaks the mountains, foothills and adjacent lowlands that stretch along the inland borders of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.  This is the Heart of Borneo; and all of us who value life on this planet should support the efforts to conserve it.


Orangutan Conservation

Ten thousand years ago, orangutans were found throughout Southeast Asia and into southern China.  Scientists believe their populations numbered in the hundreds of thousands.  Today orangutans are only found in their last strongholds on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.  Due to habitat encroachment and illegal logging, the wild population of orangutans is estimated to have diminished in the past decade by as much as 50 percent.  Today, orangutans are critically endangered.  Optimistic estimates place the current population between 15,000 and 25,000.  One of man’s closest relatives, the orangutan could go extinct in the wild if the destruction of their habitat continues at the current rate. 

 

Please Join us in Participating in Conservation

On November 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, join the Houston Zoo’s primate staff, volunteers and docents to celebrate all things orangutan!  There will be primate related gifts and crafts for sale, and all proceeds will go back to the wild orangutans. 

 Written by, Primate Keeper, Tammy Buhrmester

 

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Oct
26

Vote for Wildlife!

Posted by in Borneo,Conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research,orangutan,Rhino

Your Vote for Wildlife can make a difference – the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund allows the public to choose projects to be funded by their conservation program. They offer you their top 6 picks and the three with most votes will be awarded funding.

Seems simple enough. Just go to this website to view the proposals: http://www.zooboise.org/zbcfprojects.aspx

Two of six listed are also projects supported by your very own Houston Zoo. Both Finalist #2, the International Rhino Foundation, and Finalist #3, The Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project, have been conservation partners of the Houston Zoo for many years and could use your vote to secure critical funding for their wildlife conservation programs.

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